Some thoughts on colour work

Over the last couple of years I’ve been teaching introductory classes to colour work knitting. It’s an interesting technique and one which can produce extremely interesting and intricate colourful motifs.

When I started knitting I have to admit I did look at the colour work patterns and conclude that I didn’t see the point of it and would never knit anything like that…

Yeah… you can see where this is going. That opinion didn’t last long.

I was swayed in part by the acquisition of a large bag of the Jamieson & Smith natural colour ways. What to do with it? Well, a colour work sweater vest seemed appropriate. And that was it. I had an addiction. Not only to colour work, but also to Jamieson & Smith 2 ply yarns (but that is a different problem).

It is useful to remember with colour work that there are a number of little tips and tricks to make things easier. Tension issues, yarn dominance and colour switches / catches all can be improved with the application of a little know-how. Importantly, none of these are particularly complicated but can provide great results. Even just trying out different methods of holding your yarn, both single- and two-handed techniques, can change things.

I’ll be teaching this class again at a retreat – the Geeky Puffin Knit Palooza – in Edinburgh in late October. Class choices are included with the retreat package, but you can get more information on the event at the website or via the mailing list.